Page 84 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
“Don’t worry. I’m sending her back home,” I assured him.
“Yes, but Jared, I fear that the connection between you two won’t be so easily severed,” he sighed.
“What do you mean?”
“Not only did you mutilate Noah tonight and possibly cause brain damage to Michael because of her, but you also introduced her to this world—a world her father had evidently tried to shield her from,” he reminded me. “People know about her now. Thewolves know about her, and let’s not forget you’re hunting her father.”
“That whole ordeal will be over soon,” I replied.
“And then what?” he pressed. “She will still be bound to him. She will still be bound to you. She will never truly be safe again.”
“Then why am I dealing with this?” I questioned.
Vince extended his hand, placing it on my shoulder.
“Because it’s your duty. It’s not always enjoyable or pleasant, but it’s your responsibility, and you’re going to be the leader of the wolves. You can’t allow your feelings to dictate your actions.”
“Feelings?” I asked.
“Yes, feelings,” he affirmed. “No matter how much you deny it or try to convince yourself that there isn’t something more between you two, it doesn’t change the fact that something has shifted in your relationship.”
“Shifted?” I probed, wanting more clarification. “How?”
“Why not just let them have her?” Vince proposed, causing me to push away from the car and stare at him in disbelief.
“Why the hell would I do that?” I responded vehemently.
“Because that would be true payback, Jared,” he pointed out calmly. “And it wouldn’t have put you on bad terms with the others. You may have earned some respect tonight, and I agreed that you needed to remind them of their place. But you also revealed something tonight. Alison matters to you. Whether it stems from hate or something else, she does matter. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have put in so much effort to save her.”
“Vince, I’ve waited years for this. Do you think I’d just hand her over for others to enjoy?”
“Why not? Wouldn’t it remind her of how low she is? That she is now the slave? Didn’t she allow others to play with you?” Vince countered.
I fell silent, unable to dismiss his words, especially considering what I had done tonight. Something had indeed shifted, and it troubled me deeply.
“Should I take her home?” I whispered.
“I don’t think it will change much at this point. We’re past that.”
“So what then?” I pressed for answers.
Vince sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets and shrugging. “Enjoy your last week.”
“And after that?” I inquired.
“Jared, you already know,” he replied.
I cast my gaze downward, recognizing that my plan had always had a conclusion—to destroy Alison Brown’s life. But it didn’t feel particularly satisfying to contemplate ruining her life in such a manner, at least not in this moment. Vince sensed my internal struggle, knowing that I was wrestling with the idea of exposing the real Alison Brown.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said before giving my arm a tap and then heading back inside.
I watched him go before turning my attention back to packing the car.
Chapter 33
-Alison-
I didn’t linger in the room for long. The prospect of being alone right now filled me with fear, and my only desire was to escape as swiftly as possible. I knew Jared had noticed I needed a few minutes to myself, but even those few minutes felt unbearable. I quickly left the bedroom and descended the stairs, taking my time to absorb the last images of Jared’s place. I realized that I would never return here, so I wanted to imprint these memories in my mind. This place, as unconventional as it was for a child to grow up in, seemed better than his previous home. It spoke volumes about Jared in a way nothing else did.
